Can you introduce yourself and explain your drag name?

 

I'm Sophie; my drag name is Venus Dimilo after the ancient Greek statue with no arms. It was actually given to me by a friend of mine, as I didn't have a name for a while when I started out. But I chose to use the name to embrace that part of myself.

 

How did you first get into drag and performing?

 

I had a lot of male friends who did it and one night I mentioned how it was so unfair that I was a girl and couldn't do drag, and one of them was like "of course you can" and it all started from there, that was about 2 years ago.

 

Who or what inspires your drag?

 

I'm actually inspired a lot by my friends and what they're doing; Shade [drag collective] is probably my biggest influence.

 

What's your opinion on the term Faux Queen?

 

I've always had a problem with the term faux queen. Faux queen implies that what we do is fake or not as valid as the other queens, and that's just not true. I mean we spend just as much time and effort and money on our drag and I mean drag's painful, whether it's your corset or your shoes or your wig, something hurts and to say our drag is fake seems unfair. I just use drag queen, it's not just about gender any more, there shouldn't be a seperation between the two. 

 

Do you think you've ever been treat differently for being a female queen?

 

I've had experienes where my drag perhaps hasn't been taken as seriously as the other queens I've performed with. Something as simple as calling me by Venus and not Sophie when I'm in that character. I've been introduced over the microphone to an audience at shows by my real name and that kind of thing would never happen to male queens. Or people will say things to me like, "Oh you're so pretty, why do you wear so much make-up" and it's like because it's my job. 

But mostly it's ok, I mean I get a lot of support. 

 

How do you think this problem should be addressed?

 

I think there's a lot of ignorance towards female drag queens. I think people need to look at what we do as a character and a performer, rather than just a girl with excessive make-up and a wig on.

 

Is there a big difference between Sophie and Venus?

 

When I'm in drag, when I'm Venus, I'm definitely more confident. I'm not afraid to talk back to people or defend myself, whereas as Sophie I usually try and avoid situations like that, I'd just smile and let them get away with it. For some reason being in drag sort of gives you this lisence to say whatever you want really. I think I definitely take advantage of that. 

 

How does it feel for you to perform?

 

When I perform I feel powerful. I think as a girl its easy to be ignored but drag gives you this platform to be noticed, and when I'm on stage people have to watch and listen to what I have to say. I think that's really empowering.